Game on!

But before the Sledge Hockey game begins, there’s the huddle. Both teams huddled. Norway’s huddle is below.

I was expecting the same rules as regular hockey, but there are some differences between the sports. Sledge Hockey has 3-15 minute periods instead of 20 minutes each. And that’s about it. Well, I guess the equipment is different. These athletes use sledges – they are kind of like sleds, but with blades on the bottom.

The blades at the bottom are adjustable – they change the blades for balance – in one position it’s best for someone with 2 legs, another spot if the athlete had 1 leg, and another position if he/she has no legs at all.

The announcer at the game told us to keep an eye on this player – Norwegian player #3 – Pedersen. He’s very experienced and has been playing for some time. Got it. I watched him closely.

While no women played Sledge Hockey on these teams, I heard there’s a spot on the Canadian Team for 1 woman. There’s not enough women to make a Sledge Team yet.

Now they’re ready for game on.

This is a tough sport – these guys propel themselves with their sticks as well as take shots with them and make passes to each other with the puck. They are good with the puck and we saw them passing it under their sledges.

And there was shoving and pushing in this game. We didn’t see any fights, but apparently, that happens in this game, too. Also, I’ve heard rumours of the guys having scars from being poked with the spikes in the guts. I forgot to mention they have spikes in the bottom of the sticks to help pull them across the ice.

Total tough guys.

Tagged as: athletes, Paralympics, players, sledge, Sledge Hockey, Thunderbird Arena